Masters finds Nemo a route past Haven

NEMO RANGERS remain on course to win their fourth successive Cork SFC title following victory over Castlehaven in a dour quarter-final replay at Castletown-kenneigh on Saturday.

The city side had clearly learned from the drawn game as they never allowed the ‘Haven to stamp their authority on the action. The sides were level at 0-1 each after five minutes before James Masters pointed three minutes later.

The dominance of Diarmuid Hurley and Bernie Collins gave the West Cork side a firm grip on midfield and they struck for a goal in the 17th minute when after a Mark Collins shot came back off the crossbar, the unmarked Seanie Cahalane slipped the ball home.

However Nemo were far more dangerous in attack, and Barry O’Driscoll quickly replied with a point. Seanie Cahalane slipped over a point for Castlehaven in the 20th minute, but they weren’t to score again for the remainder of the half.

Nemo moved Derek Kavanagh out to midfield where he broke the Haven’s monopoly and Nemo finished the half strongly to lead 0-6 to 1-2 at half-time.

Upon the resumption Paul Kerrigan stretched Nemo’s lead with a point in the 33rd minute before Castlehaven wasted two chances of goals through Mark Collins and Colin Crowley. Castlehaven eventually managed a point from their best forward Seanie Cahalane, but Nemo upped the pace of their game from there to the finish.

Well marshalled in defence by Derek Kavanagh, Niall Geary and Brian O’Regan, and with Barry O’Driscoll continuing to sparkle in attack, they tacked on three points to lead 0-10 to 1-3 with ten minutes left. From there, Nemo showed their class with Kerrigan starring and they added four further points to run out comfortable winners.

Scorers for Nemo Rangers: J Masters 0-8 (0-4 f, 0-1 45); P. Kerrigan 0-4 (0-1 f); B. O’Driscoll 0-2.

Scorers for Castlehaven: S. Cahalane 1-2; N. Collins (f), B. Collins 0-1 each.

NEMO RANGERS: R Heaphy; N Geary, D Kavanagh, S McKeown; C O’Brien, B O’Regan, M Cronin; D Mehigan, M McCarthy; S O’Brien, J Masters, A Cronin; B O’Driscoll, D Niblock, P Kerrigan. Subs:: B Twomey for Kerrigan (50); C Ó Sé for McKeown (60).

CASTLEHAVEN: D Tobin; T O’Leary, L Collins, C Hayes; M Leonard, D Limrick, S Dineen; B Collins, D Hurley; S Hurley, S Cahalane, D Burns; M Collins, M Cahalane, P Hurley. Subs: C Crowley for Burns (ht); I Cahalane (40); D Cahalane for Hayes (45); S Hurley for Dineen (55).

Referee: G Sweeney (Glenville).